The Dodo Archive

Magnificent Tiger Storms Back Into The Wild

Caught scrounging around in Russia's Khabarovsky province, Uporny, a 3-year-old Amur tiger, was given a second chance. Instead of bringing him into captivity, the Russian government decided to rerelease Uporny – which means "stubborn" in Russian - back into the wild where he belonged.

Amur tigers are rare - Uporny is one of only 450 left in the world. After getting him a veterinary examination and a tracking device, rescuers chose a site near Anyuisky National Park for Uporny's release.

Rescuers stood back and watched from a distance as the enclosure opened.